Rachel and Brandon Dumovich, a pair of newlyweds from Wisconsin, were discovered deceased inside their vehicle late on Oct. 6 in Harvard, Illinois — a small city roughly an hour northwest of Chicago. Both had suffered gunshot wounds, prompting an intensive investigation that stretched for weeks.
On Monday, the Harvard Police Department issued its first major update since the bodies were found, revealing the results of the autopsies conducted by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office. According to the department, the evidence points to a devastating conclusion.
In a public statement, investigators said the ongoing joint inquiry “indicates that Brandon Dumovich fatally shot his wife, Rachel, before turning the gun on himself.” Officials emphasized that all available information supports the homicide–suicide ruling, though detectives continue to examine digital records, witness interviews, and forensic materials tied to the case.
Police stressed that the tragedy appears to be an isolated event and that there is no indication of any broader threat to residents in the surrounding area.
Rachel, 29, and Brandon, 30, were only days away from their first wedding anniversary when they were found. By all outward appearances, the couple had a long, intertwined history. Details shared on their wedding website showed they met as young teens in middle school and stayed close friends throughout high school. Old photos highlight Brandon in his football gear and Rachel in her cheerleading uniform — a pair who grew up side by side long before romance entered the picture.
After years of friendship, the two began dating seriously in 2022. Their relationship moved quickly, leading to marriage and a shared home in Sharon, Wisconsin, a quiet village near the Illinois state line.
Rachel, a University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee graduate, worked in human resources, according to her obituary. Brandon, who had previously served as a Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, had just marked his 30th birthday the same weekend the incident occurred. Notably, neither obituary mentioned their marriage.
The final moments of the couple’s lives came to light after an officer patrolling Route 14 spotted their vehicle stopped with its hazard lights flashing. Believing the driver might need help, the officer approached — only to find Rachel in the driver’s seat and Brandon beside her, both unresponsive. Each had a gunshot wound to the head, and police later recovered a firearm inside the car.
Authorities say the pair had been living only a few miles away, making the discovery even more unsettling for the small Wisconsin community where they had recently settled.
The investigation remains active, but officials do not anticipate any additional suspects or outside involvement.
Sources: People
